Ajax Fire is warning residents of the dangers of candles following a house fire sparked by a lit candle in an ensuite washroom.
On February 22 Ajax Fire responded to the report of a fire at a residence in the area of Taunton Road and Westney Road. Upon arrival, it was discovered that there was an active structure fire inside of a residence, and crews began working to extinguish it.
The cause of the fire was determined to be a candle that was left burning unattended in the ensuite washroom. Nobody was injured in the fire, said an Ajax Fire statement.
“Fire can happen anywhere, at any time. Most often, it strikes when we let our guard down. It is imperative that you keep candles away from anything that can burn. If you use real candles please remember to blow them out when you leave the room,” said Shelley Langer, Fire Prevention Inspector.
Ajax Fire offered some candle safety tips to prevent fires:
- Never use real candles in areas where you may fall asleep;
- Secure candles in a sturdy holder, in a location where they can’t be knocked over;
- Place a glass shade or hurricane chimney over candles;
- Make sure lit candles are kept out of reach of children and pets;
- Keep all combustible materials, including clothing, towels and decorative items away from lit candles;
- When you go out, blow out! Always blow out candles before leaving the room;
- Consider using flameless, battery operated candles instead;
- A working smoke alarm is required on every level of your home and outside of all sleeping areas. Smoke alarms should be tested monthly, the batteries should be changed at least once per year, and the alarms should be replaced after 10 years; and
- Carbon monoxide alarm(s) are required to be installed adjacent to all sleeping areas in dwellings with a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace or attached storage garage. CO alarms typically last between 5-7 years based on the manufactures specifications. When in doubt of the age of the alarm, replace the alarm.